Cessna 150L and Cessna 172H mid-air collision near Highgate, Vermont, June 10, 1995
On June 10, 1995 at about 1:50 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 150L (N10913) and Cessna 172H (N2808L), were involved in a mid-air collision near Highgate, Vermont (Franklin County State airport). 3 people were killed; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other. A factor was the Cessna 172H pilot's impairment due to medication.
the failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other. A factor was the Cessna 172H pilot's impairment due to medication.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 10, 1995 · about 1:50 pm local time
- Place
- Highgate, Vermont · Franklin County State
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 150L · all 150Ls on the register
- Registration
- N10913 · no longer on the register · serial 15075128
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 172H · all 172Hs on the register
- Registration
- N2808L · registry record · serial 17256008
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 150L final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Cessna 172H, N2808L, had just taken off from Runway 1. The student pilot of the Cessna 150L, N10913, was returning to the airport traffic pattern from the northwest, and reported that he was about to enter downwind when he saw an airplane coming towards him. He stated that he made a hard left turn and pulled up, but collided with the tail of the C-172H. The C-172H descended to the ground. The C-150L made a forced landing at the airport and nosed over. Toxicological tests on the pilot of the C-172H revealed a high level of chlorpheniramine in the blood (0.084 MCG/ML). This drug is an over-the-counter antihistamine with sedative side effects.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 172H final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Cessna 172H, N2808L, had just taken off from Runway 1. The student pilot of the Cessna 150L, N10913, was returning to the airport traffic pattern from the northwest, and reported that he was about to enter downwind when he saw an airplane coming towards him. He stated that he made a hard left turn and pulled up, but collided with the tail of the C-172H. The C-172H descended to the ground. The C-150L made a forced landing at the airport and nosed over. Toxicological tests on the pilot of the C-172H revealed a high level of chlorpheniramine in the blood (0.084 MCG/ML). This drug is an over-the-counter antihistamine with sedative side effects.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Cessna 150L from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 14 hours in all; 14 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,569 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 17, 1995; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FSO VT at 1:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 1, 3,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 pm from BTV, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 172H from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 77 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 15 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,551 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 6, 1995; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FSO VT at 1:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 1, 3,000 ft by 60 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number BFO95FA058.